Dragon Unleashed by Grace Draven
Series : The Fallen Empire #2
A dragon shapeshifter and a healer with power over the earth fight a corrupt empire in this thrilling and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the USA Today bestselling author of Radiance.
Magic is outlawed in the Krael Empire and punishable by death. Born with the gift of earth magic, the free trader Halani keeps her dangerous secret closely guarded. When her uncle buys a mysterious artifact, a piece of bone belonging to a long-dead draga, Halani knows it's far more than what it seems.
Dragas haven't been seen for more than a century, and most believe them extinct. They're wrong. Dragas still walk among the denizens of the Empire, disguised as humans. Malachus is a draga living on borrowed time. The magic that has protected him will soon turn on him--unless he finds a key part of his heritage. He has tracked it to a group of free traders, among them a grave-robbing earth witch who fascinates him as much as she frustrates him with her many secrets.
Unbeknownst to both, the Empire's twisted empress searches for a draga of her own, to capture and kill as a trophy. As Malachus the hunter becomes the hunted, Halani must risk herself and all she loves to save him from the Empire's machinations and his own lethal birthright.
I don't think there will ever be something that Grace Draven writes that I don't end up loving! She's one of my favorite authors in fantasy romance and I've been waiting for Dragon Unleashed for almost one and a half years! And let me tell you it was definitely worth the wait!
Dragon Unleashed follows the story of the free trader and healer Halani, who possesses rare earth magic. She has always kept it a secret and continues to do so as magic is banned in the empire. When her uncle ends up buying a piece of bone from some mercenary traders despite her warnings, she knows nothing good can come out of it.
Malachus is a draga stuck in his human form. He has been searching for his mother-bond for a long time, as it was stolen by thieves and he needs it to shift into a draga. He has finally tracked it to the Goban market and just when he believes he can retrieve it, he's attacked and left for the dead. Halani ends up saving him and helps him heal, as she remembers him helping her child-like mother just a few hours before.
As they spend more time with each other, Malachus' perceptions of humans slowly changes and Halani also learns to slowly trust him, but what will happen when the secrets that they've been keeping from each other come to light? And with the Empress also searching for the mother-bond and the draga it belongs to, they might be in more danger than before!
I loved Grace Draven's beautiful writing and the world that she's created in this one! I think my favorite part about her books(besides her writing style) is the well-developed cast of characters that she creates. They aren't the typical chosen-one/special snowflakes that we usually see in fantasy books. Her protagonists are beautifully flawed, almost ordinary and so realistic that you can't help but love them and feel everything along with them!
The book is a little slow at first and it takes some time for the momentum to build, but I found that refreshing as I'd just finished reading a bunch of fast paced books back to back on the previous day.
I also loved the slow-burn between Malachus and Halani! They take their time discovering things about each other.
“Why do you ask such a thing?” Because you’re beautiful in every way. Sanctuary in the storm. A companion anyone would want at their side, be they draga or human. Instead he said, “Because most women your age are.”
“Ah, a delicate way of saying I’m an old maid.”
Halani was an amazing heroine who was strong, self-sufficient and compassionate. Even when Malachus ends up discovering some things about her and becomes judgemental, she doesn't lose her backbone. She stands up for herself and her actions.
"Spoken like a man who’s never known the joy of starvation,” she snapped. “I’m not defending, only explaining. It is wrong. No one here will argue that with you, especially me. Condemn us if you will, but know why we do it, not why you think we do it.”
Malachus also learns to put aside his initial judgement and see the other side of humans. He is quick to anger, but he also reflects on his actions and apologizes for them. Plus, he really knows how to woo a woman ;)
“I doubt that comes as a surprise to anyone.” His tense shoulders relaxed, and while he didn’t smile, she heard the ghost of a teasing note in his voice.
“Maybe I should call you Halani of the Spring.” Halani wrinkled her nose. “That doesn’t sound nearly as grand as Halani of the Lightning.”
“True,” he said, “but it’s spring, not lightning, that has always given men hope.”
We get to learn more about the empire and the story behind the draga skeleton that the Empress possessed. I didn't think it was possible to hate that vile woman more than I did in Phoenix Unbound but after reading this one I was even more pissed. But I'm glad that she didn't get much screen time in this one!
The last quarter of the book had me praying for the safety of the characters, but in the end I was happy as most things were resolved in a satisfactory manner.
The fate of the empire is still unknown, and I'm quite excited to see what will happen next! Hope we get to see Siora in the future as I found her character very intriguing!
I'd definitely urge you to give this series a try if you haven't already read it yet! And if you haven't read any of Grace Draven's books and want something unique in fantasy romance, do start with Radiance! You'll definitely love it!
*I was provided with an ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*
Grace Draven is a Louisiana native living in Texas with her husband, kids and a big, doofus dog. She has loved storytelling since forever and is a fan of the fictional bad boy. She is the winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice for Best Fantasy Romance of 2014 and 2016, and a USA Today Bestselling author.
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